Early Life and Education

Date of Birth: Jan 5, 1955

Place of Birth: Kolkata, West Bengal

Nationality: Indian

Education:

• B.A from Jogamaya Devi College
• M.A in Islamic History from Shri Shikshayatan College
• Degree in law from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, Kolkata

Alma mater: University of Calcutta

Marital Status: Unmarried

Profession: Politician

Important Positions Held:

• 8th Chief Minister of West Bengal
• Minister of Railways
• Member of Parliament for Kolkata Dakshin
• Member of Parliament for Jadavpur
• Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly

Website: Official Website

About Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee, the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal, is a trailblazer who etched her name in history as the first lady to hold the Chief Minister’s office in the state. Winning two consecutive terms, she triumphed over corruption allegations during her eighth chief ministerial tenure, a testament to her resilience.

Fondly called “Didi” in Bengal, Mamata parted ways with the Indian National Congress in 1997, founding the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC or AITMC). Her iconic victory in the 2011 Legislative Assembly elections dismantled the 34-year rule of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the world’s longest-serving democratically elected communist government.

Her legacy extends to being the first woman Railway minister, holding the position twice, along with key roles in Human Resource Development, Coal, Women and Child Development, and Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Recognized for her honesty, Mamata Banerjee actively engages in social and human rights causes, promoting the welfare and development of underprivileged children and women, providing free legal aid, and organizing health camps.

Mamata Banerjee’s Personal Background

Born on January 5, 1955, in Kolkata, Mamata emerged from a lower-middle-class Bengali family. Despite losing her father at nine, she pursued education with determination, graduating from Jogomaya Devi College and earning degrees in Islamic History and law.

Mamata, known for her simplicity, remains unmarried. Beyond politics, her artistic inclinations manifest in self-taught painting and poetry. Reading, writing, and music are her cherished pastimes.

How did Mamata Banerjee enter politics?

Mamata Banerjee’s political journey commenced during her school years when she joined the Congress (I) Party. Her swift rise in the 1970s led to her becoming the Mahila Congress General Secretary from 1976 to 1980.

Political Journey of Mamata Banerjee

• 1976 – 1980: General Secretary of Mahila Congress (I) in West Bengal
• 1978-1981: Secretary of the District Congress Committee (Indira) of Calcutta South
• 1984: Elected as a member of the 8th Lok Sabha and became the General Secretary of the All India Youth Congress (I)

Activities and Achievements of Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee’s impact reverberates beyond politics, with her activities and achievements shaping West Bengal’s socio-political landscape:

• Successful formation of All India Trinamool Congress as the primary opposition party in West Bengal after leaving the Congress in 1997.
• Introducing new trains and extending express train services during her term as Railway Minister from 2009 to 2011.
• Active protests against land acquisition in 2005, displaying her commitment to farmers and agriculturists.

Books by Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee, beyond her political prowess, is an accomplished author with a collection of books in both Bengali and English:

Bengali:

• Upalabdhi
• Maa-Mati-Manush
• Janatar Darbare

English:

• Smile
• Slaughter of Democracy
• Struggle for Existence

Awards Won by Mamata Banerjee

The Time magazine in 2012 mentioned her among the 100 Most Influential People in the World The Bloomberg Markets magazine marked her as one of the “50 Most Influential People in the World of Finance” in September 2012.